Zero suppressing mfans for printing



Oct. 2, 1 51 w. T. GOLLWITZER ZERO SUPPRESSING MEANS FOR PRINTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 27, 1941 Jul/012101- 1951 w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,570,113

ZERO SUPPRESSING MEANS FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 27, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tnvezziar PVaZZeP I Cjz llh izer @yfiamglys 2, 1951 w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,570,113 I ZERO SUPPRESSING MEANS FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 27, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 2, 1951 w. T. GOLLWITZER 2,570,113

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ZERO SUPPRESSING MEANS FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 27, 1941 a Sheets-Sheet e JOHN DOE, 60 1200 61 03628}? 51% FRANK ROE. 75 15 0o 62 723 POLK 8T, CHICAGO, ILL.

ROBERT WOOD, 700 14000 73 619 GRACE sr, mm ARBOR MICH A] PIT LF 5.10 P52 wwm BRIGHT a mo 74 125 15.8418 $11, NEW YORK, NY.

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JOHN T. HARRINGTON, -I4 2 8% 93 40a ELEVENTH s'n, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. V3 V1 137986 2759720 L Prr/ V LT 289764 5795260 L GT Patented Oct. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ZERO SUPPRESSING MEANS FOR PRINTING MACHINES Original application October 2'7, 1941, Serial No. 416,745. Divided and this application February 16, 1946, Serial No. 648,074

2 Claims, 1

This, application is a division of my copending applicatiomserial No. 416,745, filed October 27, 1941 (now Patent No. 2,427,049) which describes a printing machine of the kind particularly adapted for use in the preparation of business instruments and the like of which checks used to pay dividends declared by corporations are exemplary.

Asmore fully explained in my aforesaid copending application, business instruments of the character described usually bear changeable data, suchsas names and addresses of payees, reoccurring data such as date, bank on which drawn, signature, and the like. Such instruments may be numbered consecutively and they bear variable data indicating such quantities as the numberof shares held by a payee and the amount whichis to bepaid. Various instrumentalities are, provided for printing these various data, but the. present invention is limited to the means for setting up appropriate printing membcrsand printing the variable data just mentioned, usually under the control of printing and controldevices such as address plates bearing control indicia.

It is an -obiect of the present invention to provide certain improvements in means for printing variabledata of the character mentioned above. Normally, as explained in my aforesaid copending application, it is desirable to print such data not only on'checks to be issued, as to stockholders, for example, but also to print the same data on a record or proof sheet.

In-printing data'of the tvpe described above, it is desirable to print blanking characters above the highest significant figure, particularly in the amount payable on a check, to deter fraudulent alteration. Also, since variable printers of the typeused in printing numerical ouantities normally print either a significant digit or a zero, it is desirable to. suppress all zeros above the highestsignificant figure. It is an object of my invention to accomplishboth of these purposes. Although variable data of the type mentioned abovemaybe printed at separate stations, it is not alwaysdesira-ble that such printings be simultaneous. Hence another object of my invention is to provide certain flexibility of operations such as settingupvariable' printing means, printing, andrestoring suchmeans to their normal initial positions. Further objects are to assure. that properltimed relation will be maintained among theiVa-rious operative mechanisms in the machine even when the operation of selective of such mechanisms is suspended for the purpose of taking totals or under circumstances where printing and control devices, such as address plates bearing control indicia thereon, are being passed through the machine in such a way as not to have operations performed thereon or under control thereof.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevation, with certain parts shown in section of that part of the machine described in my aforesaid copending application which includes the elements of my present invention;

Figs. 2 and 4 are vertical sectional views of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 showing, when Fig. 4 is joined to the right hand end of Fig. 2, a vertical section through the variable data printing means and mechanism connected thereto;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional detail view taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the printing unit looking in the direction opposite to Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 Ban elevat onal view showing a typical che k produced in the machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 7 is an levational view of a typical printing and control device under control of which certain operat ons are performed in the machine;

8 is an illu tration of the code under which data may be irodused in the printing and control device shown in Fig. 7;

Figs. 9, l0 and 1 are elevational views of proof sheets produced in the machine.

separation thereof. The check S bears constantly reoccurring data C, changing data A. such as a name and address, and variable data V which may consist of numerals Vi representing the amount for which the check is payable and other numerals V2 representing the number of shares held by a stockholder.

As shown in Figs. 9, l and 11, proof sheets are printed to provide a permanent record of the var.- iable data Vi and V2 printed on issued checks. Also, as more fully described in by aforesaid copending application, SerialNo. 416,745, names and addresses A, as well as check numbers N may be printed on the proof sheets as well as upon checks. low, certain totals PTT, LT and GT may be printed on proof sheets.

A printing and control device D, consisting of an address plate bearing certain control indicia, is shown in Fig. 7. It consists of a frame 15 carryin g an embossed printing member 16 with raised" type T thereon attached by suitable retaining elementsll'l, l8, l9. A card 89, hearing control indicia such as a suitably located perforation 85 is held on frame E5 by retaining elements 8| and'82; It bears identifying printed matter 83 corresponding to type T. Tabs TB and TBS may be provided for certain purposes discussed morefully in my aforesaid copending application.

Fig. 8 shows a code by which suitably located perforations such as 85, Fig. '7, may represent numerals for the control of certain operations of the machine, as more fully set forth hereinbelow.

As more fully described in my aforesaid copending application, of which this is a division, appropriate frame members, a driving motor, and necessary drive means are provided for operating the various, elements of the machine. A main drive. shaft 96, Fig. l, operated by means not shown herein, supplies power to drive the various elements herein described through their operative cycles. Variable data, such as the number of shares of stock held by a stockholder, may be incorporated on printing and control devices and sensed by appropriate means to set up printing characters and to set up quantities in accumulators for total taking purposes. Other variable data, such as the amount of a dividend check to be paid, may be obtained by sensing indicia as 85 on a control device D representing the number of shares held by a stockholder to a multiplying mechanism M, Fig; 2, which multiplies such data by an appropriate factor, as the dividend rate, to obtain an amount to be paid. This amount is set into devices from which it may be sensed by sensing means, as more fully described in my aforesaid copending application, for setting up printing members and accumulator means. The multiplying mechanism M has a capacity for multiplying a five-order number by a five-order number. and hence has capacity for setting up ten'different type segments. However, it is not desirable to print fractions of a cent and dividend checks seldom exceed seven orders of which two pertain to cents and the remainder to dollars. Hence only seven type segments are provided. and these are connected by means described briefly below, and more fully in my aforesaid copending application, to the seven highest summation members 315 of a multiplying mechanism M. Fractions of a cent are accumulated into the lowest of these seven members.

By means shown generally in Fig. 2, including a strip 580, fast on cash summation menfber 3T5, shoulders 48I-U, ilH-T and so on, representing In addition, as explained more fully bea I, multiplying mechanism, has a plurality of levers 488, one lever being provided for each slide 483.

. Each lever 433 carries a roller 489 which rides in a vertical slot 490 in slide 483. Springs 49! are eifective on levers 488 normally to urge fingers 482 to the left toward shoulders 48! A' bail 492 pivotally mounted on rod 481 and connected through arm 493, link 494, lever 495 pivoted at 495 with roller 49'! bearing against a cam 498 on cam shaft 499 normally restrains fingers 482 from movement to engage shoulders 43 I Cam shaft 599 operates in single revolution 7 cycles under control of a single revolution clutch not shown herein. After a multiplying operation and upon rotation of shaft 499; cam'493 permits springs 49! to urge fingers 482 toward the shoul-i ders 48 i' on strips 489 where they-willengagejap propriate shouldersto initiate thesetting up of type segments responsive to the position of such shoulders. Immediately after movement by cam 438, another cam (not shownbon shaft 499 moves a rocker arm 535 on a shaft 533 to which another rocker arm- 597 is rigidlyfastened, 'Thesearms carry links as 539 which carry a bar 5H3 extend ing across the toe portions-5ll .of. each-0f the slide 433, Springs 5I2 normally, urge .the toe portions upwardly against bar ,5!9.. Hence when the cam causes arms 506,591 to elevate bar 5H), slides 483 are free to move upwardly under the influence of springs 5l2 until stopped. by engage ment of a shoulder 48 i witha finger 482. I The type segmentsto be setup to, print on a check and on a proof sheet, respectively, are shown at T81 and T32, Figs. 2 and 4, Bowden cables 5I5 are attached to arms 5H5 on rockers 5H pivoted 'on a rod 518 and having arms 5| 9 bearing pins 529beneath the foot portions 52[ of slides 483' Movement ofth'e' slides 483 con trols positioning of the Bowden cables 5l5. At their other ends, which may be at any desired location in the machine, all the Bowden'cables are connected to individual slides 522,-the ends or the cable sheathing being suitably anchored as at 5 I 5a.: Slides 522 are mounted for vertical movement in combs 523, 525 and each slide 522 hasa raclc' thereon which meshes with a gear segment 523 on a rocker 529. Each rocker 529 ismounted on a shaft 533, Fig. 3, collars 529a being disposed between the rockers to align themrespectively with racks 521. a a

A gear segment 53l on each rocker 529 is engageable with the teeth of .a pinion 532, which pinion is effective when disengaged from gear segments .53! to .disposepositioning slides. 555m digit representing positions. The pinions 532 are mcunted, on a shaft 533 which is. extended through vertical slots 534,:Fig. 1, to.be guided forvertical reciprocation. Such vertical .reciprocae tion is imparted to shaft 533by camslots 535, Fig. 2, formed in cam plates 525 and 525pivotal1y mounted on shaft, 539. These cam slots 53.5 are of'such configuration that when cam plates 525 and 526 are pivoted clockwise into theposition shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 533 is caused to move upwardly. deme'shin pinions 532 from gear segents 5 and vrneshing them with racks 554 formed on slide 555. On counterclockwise movement of cam plates 535, pinions 532 are lowered into mesh with gear segments53l. The cam plates 535 are moved by a cam 545 .on shaft 499, through the intermediary of a lever 543 pivoted on a shaft 544 suitably journaled in side frame members 566 and 555 and urged to follow the cam by a spring 541. A roller 542 on the other end of lever 543 engages a bifurcation in 2. lug 5M depending from cam plate 526. Movement of roller 542 effects rocking of the cam plates 525 and 525 which are interconnected at their lower ends by a rod 539.

A spring 528 anchored at 548a extends to each of the rockers 529 to urge them clockwise and hence to urge slides 522 downwardly so that pins 525 through rockers 519, 511, and Bowden cables 515 will follow slides 483 when the slides are permitted to rise by the lifting of the restraining bar or bail 510 as previously described. At this time pinions 532 will be meshed with associated gear segments 53! and upon upward movement of slides 483 to digit representing position, pinions 532 will be set in a corresponding digit representing position.

As described more fully in my aforesaid copending application, each pinion 532 includes twenty teeth of which two, those at the zero positions, are thickened to provide stop means for the setting of slides 555 when the pinions are raised into mesh with the racks 554 on slides 555 and the slides are released to the effect of springs 593. A comb 55! is mounted on a plate 538 pivoted at 540 between a pair of plates 535 and 531, Fig. 3, carried by shaft 533 but held from rotation therewith by a lug 53511 which has a bifurcation engaging shaft 555. A spring 552 is effective on the plate 538 near the upper edge thereof to urge this plate toward an adjustment screw 553 mounted on an arm 553b, Fig. 3. Upon counterclockwise movement of cam plates 525, 526, Fig. 2, screw 553 tends to move away from plate 538 and spring 552 retracts the teeth of comb 55] from the thickened teeth 555 to permit counterclockwise rotation of pinions 532 in their next operation.

Upon release of slides 555 to move under the influence of springs 583, pinions 532 which at the time of such release are in mesh with racks 55 rotate counterclockwise, Fig. 2, until the thickened teeth 55 are stopped by the comb 55], each slide 555 moving to the left a distance corresponding to the digit which was set into its 00- operating pinion 552. This movement is communicated to two sets of type characters in a printing unit generally indicated by 650, Fig. 4, under the control of a main cam shaft 550 driven by means not shown in detail but including gear means, a pulley 55! and. a belt 51! passed about a pulley on the maindrive shaft 90.

While the setting up devices, including the rockers 52s, are, in the present instance, associated with the slides 555 at a position in the extent thereof located near the type segments as TSl, it will be understood that, if desired, these setting up devices could be associated with Slides 555 near the tyne segments asTSZ. Moreover, each slide as 555 comprises two'sections as 5551* and 555i, the sections as 5551' in the present instance being associated with the type segments TS! and. the sections 5557" being associated with the type segments TSZ. In this instance the slide sections 555T and 555i are mounted in combs as 5550.. Figs. 2 and 4, extended between and carried by the side frame members eee and M5. and in order to insure free movement of the slides in these combs each slide section has a pair of slots as 552a formed therein in each of which slots a type segments, retain one set of type segments in setup condition and return the other set of type segments to their normal at rest positions, this being advantageous and necessaryin cer tain operations, as is described more fully hereinafter.

However, since it is advantageous to simultaneously set up all type segments that are to be set up, I so arrange the sections as 5551" and 5551 of the slides as 555 that they may be moved conjointly, and to this end pawls as 513 are pivotally mounted on the sections 5551", as indicated at 5'l9, and these pawls include toeportions as 580, Figs. 2 and 4, that are urged into recessesas 553i in the sections 555]. To this end rollers as 552 on a rod 5583, Figs. 1 and 4, are respectively disposed above the pawls as 513 and the rod 583 is mounted in arms as 584, Fig. 1, pivotally mounted on the side frame members 524 and 505, a spring as 585a acting on these arms and therefore the rod. and rollers 582 to urge the toe portions 585 toward the recesses 58!. At a predetermined time in the course of operation of the printing unit 550 and, in a manner describedhereinafter, the toe portions 522 are retracted from the re ccsses as 58! to thereby disconnect the sections 555? from the sections 555 to permit the type segments associated with one or the other of these sections to be retained in setup position and to permit the type sections associated with the other sections to be restored. In the present in-. stance the type segments TSI are retained in setup position while the type segments: T552 are restored.

In the resent instance, at the time the pinions as 532, Fig. 2, are moved into engagement with the racks as 55s, the toe portions 58!! are seated in the recesses 58% so that the sections 555rand 555] ma move as a unit. When these sections are interconnected to move as a unit they are retained in a position to represent the digit 0 by a bail 585, Fig. 4, that extends between arms as 585. Fig. i, pivotally mounted on a shaft 5331 extended between and carried by the side frame members 554 and 525. The bail disposed in recesses in the upper edges of the slide sections 555i which, define shoulders as Fig. 4, against which the bail bears to retain the slides 555in their respective zero representing positions.- Moreover, shortly after the cam shaft 556 is set in operation, a roller 589 on an arm 52! depending one of the arms 585 passes from a dwell on the cam Fig. 4, on the cam shaft 532 and thereby causes the bail 555 to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, to thereupon free the slides to the effect of springs as 592 and 593. The springs as 522 extend between spring anchors as 595. on each slide 555 and rods as 595 extend between ears as 596 on the side frame members 584 525. Similarly, the springs extend between spring anchors as 58? on the sections 5557 and'rods as 59% extend betweenears as 599 on the side frame members 5% and Therefore, when the bail 585 moves to the left, as viewed in Fig. 14, the springs 592 and 553 are effective to move the sections 5551' and 555] (which are interconnected at this time) to the left, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, to thereby bring about setup of the type segments as T8! and TSZ which are,

ment TSI that is adapted for cooperation with a slide section 5551. The rockers 005 are mounted for rotation about a shaft 655 that extends between and is carried by the side frame members 504 and 505. Another rocker as 905 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 595 in association with each rocker 603 and a segmental type bearing head 605 is provided on each rocker 505. Each such type bearing head bears, at the right-hand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 2, a type character from which a star or other blanking character can be printed and to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2,'type characters for respectively printing the digits 0 to 9 are provided on the segments 505. Springs as 50'! extend between the rockers 503 and 605 and urge a stop as 558 on each rocker 605 into engagement with a shoulder afforded on each rocker as 505 and the spring 50?. The en gagement of the stops 508 with shoulders 509 is effective to cause the rockers 505 and 50 5 to move conjointly clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, this ar rangement, however, enabling each rocker 505 to be pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, relative to its associated rocker 603 to thereby bring the aforesaid star printing type character into printing position in a manner and for a purpose to be explained presently.

The interengagement between gear segments as 502 with racks as 695 is such that normally the type characters on the segments 595 from which zeros may be printed are disposed in printing position. Therefore the type segments as TSI are disposed in zero position when the slides as 555 are disposed in zero position. However, after the pinions as 532, Fig. 2, have been meshed with the racks as 554 and the cam shaft 550, Fig. i, is set in operation, and the bail 585 starts to move to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, the springs 502 and 593 are thereupon effective to move the slides 555 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. Such movement continues until a Wide tooth 550 on the associated pinion 532 engages the cooperating tooth on the comb 55!, there being no movement when, as explained above, the wide tooth 550 is already engaged with such a comb tooth for under such circumstances the type character for printing zero is already in printing position and is to remain there. In other instances, however, the slides 555, and therefore the rockers as 505, move in an amount suflicient to bring the proper type character into printing position, such type character being selected in accordance with the digital value to which the pinion 532 has been set to represent in the manner hereinabove explained. In an instance such as the present one Where the type characters TC on the segments 602 are to print the amount for'which a check is to be payable, it is customary to print blanking characters above or to the left of the highest significant digit in the amount for which the check is to be payable. In this respect, in the present machine, Bowden cables as 515 are associated with but seven of the summation members as 315 for the reason that but seven type segments as 'ISI are provided for printing the variable data VI because this enables amounts up to $99,999.99 to be printed on the checks. This has been found in practice to be a greater amount than any that need be printed in the course of preparation of dividend checks. Furthermore, as is customary in the practice of preparing checks, where the two most right-hand columns pertain to cents, a zero is printed whenever this digit appears in either the units or the tens order of a cents amount. However, since some dividend checks may be prepared to provide for a payment only in cents and since it is customary to print blanking characters above the highest significant digit for which a check is to be payable, I have associated with each type segment as TSI, from which digits appearing in orders pertaining to dollars may be printed, an arrangement for moving such a type segment counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, when a blanking character should be printed in any order pertaining to dollars, such an arrangement not being provided in association with those type segments TSI from which digits to appear in either order of cents may be printed.

Therefore, each rocker 505 of a type segment TS! from which digits pertaining to dollars may be printed has a shoulder as 6H3, Fig. 2, provided thereon in position to cooperate with a pawl as 5! i, there bein such a pawl for each shoulder M5. The pawls 6H are mounted on a shaft 612 carried by a rocker 5H1, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, that has the side arms thereof disposed outwardly ofand in juxtaposition to side frame members 504 and 505 to which these arms, and therefore the rocker 6M, are pivotally connected as indicated at 5l5. A bar 5l5 extends between the side arms of the rocker 6M and has a plurality of leaf springs 615 mounted thereon in position to respectively bear on the pawls 5| I. Pivotal movement of the pawls 5| I about the shaft 5 l 2 under the influence of the spring 615 is normally resisted by a bail 5!! carried by a bracket EH3 mounted for pivotal movement on the shaft EH2 as best shown in Fig. 2. A roller 61'! on the bail fill cooperates with a camsurface on the cam plate 5| 4', Fig. 1, carried by the side frame member 505. In the manner explained hereinafter the rocker 514 is pivoted clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, and thereupon the bail 61'! is moved from restraining position to enable the nose on each pawl 5 to cooperate with the associated shoulder 5 i 0, if said shoulder has not been advanced out of cooperating relation with this nose, in the manner explained presently. When a pawl 51! engages a shoulder 510 further rocking movement imparted to the rocker SM is effective to shift the rocker 555 carrying such an engaged shoulder counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2. Such operation is enabled by the configuration of the cam plate GM and is a result of the rocking of the rocker 5M. It will be understood that such movement is imparted to' the rocker 6M at a time in the course of an operation subsequent to that at which the type seg-' mnts T SI are set in digit representing positions. In this respect, in an operation in which a type segment as T8! is moved into such position as to dispose in printing position a type character TC thereon from which a significant digit may be printed, the associated pawl 6| I is prevented from moving such a type segment counterclockwise. To this end an arcuate surface 6I8,'Fig. 2, is formed on each'rocker 505 beyond the shoulder 6H] and in such position that when a type segment, and therefore the rocker 605 thereof, is moved into the just described position and the arcuate surface.

bail 6H is moved from restraining position, the nose of the associated pawl 6| I will seat on this It is this that is effective to prevent a rocker 665 being moved counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 2, and'which enables whatever type character for printing a significant thisoccurs unless, as will be explained presently, the associated pawl is rendered ineffective to bring about such movement when the bail till is moved-from restraining position as aforesaid.

In order that a pawl 6H may be rendered ineffective, for a purpose explained presently, each pawl bears a lug as file which extends in front of the pawl pertaining to the next lowest order. Therefore when a pawl 6| l engages an associated arcuate surface tie on one of the type segments TSI, the noses on all pawls till pertaining to lower orders are held from moving into engage- -ment with the shoulders as 689 operatively associated therewith. This is effected because, in such an instance, a digit, not a blanking character, is to be printed in the lower orders. An example of this is where the amount of 668.17 is to be printed, in which instance the pawl 6H for the hundreds order will engage an arcuate surface as (H8 and render the pawls for the hundreds and tens orders ineffective becauseif, in such a circumstance, the pawl for the tens order was not rendered ineffective it would bring a blanking character into printing position rather than the zero which is desired. Therefore, blanking characters are printed only in those orders above the highest in which a significant digit appears. i

' As best shownin Fig. 1, a latch e22 is pivotally mounted, as indicated at 623, on the outer face of the side frame member -35. A spring 625 is effective to urge the free end of thislatch toward a shoulder 625 on the adjacent arm of the rocker BM. When the rocker EM is pivoted by means to be described presently to bring the plate t2! into engagement with theteeth 520, and to operate the pawls Bl I', as aforesaid, the latch i522 engages theshoulder 325- and under the influence of the spring 624 is effective to retain the plate SZI in engagement with the teeth 28 to therzby maintain and latch the type segments TSi in their setup positions. This arrangement is utilized to retain the type segments TS in setup condition and untilrelease thereof is to be effective .at time explained hereinafter. However, in

a manner to be described, the latch 622 is released from the shoulder 625 to enable the spring 626,- Fig. 1, to restore the rocker 614 and thereupon withdraw the plate BZI from the teeth 629 to permit the type segments TS! and the slide sections 5551 to be restored to their normal at rest or zero positions.

When the type segments TSl are latched by the latch-fi22 in setup condition to retain the type characters TC thereon in printing position, these type characters are disposed beneath an inked ribbon (not shown). In the present instance these type characters are located to be disposed beneath the printing face of a main platen so that when this printing face is moved downwardly to printing position, an impression willbe made on abortion of the check as S that is disposed between the-aforesaid-inked ribbon and the aforesaid printing face, the manner in which this portion of the check is disposed in such printing position being explained fully in my aforesaid copending application.

It is desirable that the numerals in the amounts printed from the type characters TC on the check as S, be accurately aligned. To this end, a series of teeth 626 are formed on each rocker 6&3 in positions accurately related to the positions of the type characters TC on the type segment TS! of which such rocker is a part and the teeth of each series are accurately related to the teeth in each other series. Hence by engaging an aligning means with the teeth 820, after the J; type characters TC have been disposed in printing position, I insure that neat impressions will be made from these type characters.

Therefore, I mount a bracket 622a on a shaft 5255a carried by the rocker 6M and a knife edge plate 62! is provided on this bracket which is adapted to seat in those teeth 62's that are related to the type characters disposed in printing position. Leaf springs i322 carried by a bar 621' on the rocker Si t urge the plate 62f toward the teeth 62%. The effects of these springs is resisted by a cam surface on the cam plates 6M3 that is engaged by a roller 623, Fig. 1, that is carried by the bracket 522a. When the rocker EII'Z is rocked, in the manner described hereinafter, the knife edge plate GZI is engaged with the teeth 62% related to the type characters TC in printing position subsequent to the time the pawls 55H engage the shoulders Elil that are to be engaged thereby so that by the time the proper type characters TC are moved to printing position, the plate 625 will engage the teeth 3-20 related to such type characters and thereupon these type characters will be so aligned that a neat impression may be made therefrom. The configuration of the cam plate BM is such as to 50 control the position of the roller 623' that the desired movement of the bracket 622a and plate 82! is effected in the course of the rocking of the rocker E I t which moves the roller i523 relative to the cam plate 5 I 3.

As has been explained hereinabove, at the time the type segments TS are set up, the slide sections and are interconnected by reason of the fact that the toe portions 586 on the pawls 518, Fig. 2, are seated in the recesses 583. Thereforeat the time the type segments TSl are set up, the type segments T82 are simutaneously set up. Inasmuch as the type segments T322 and theparts associated therewith are in most respond to those hereinabove described with refer ence to the type segments .TSi are designated by a similar reference character, except that the suffix is added to such reference characters where they are applied to the type segments T52 and associated parts. However, in the present instance where the type segments TS? are employed for producing impressions of variable data as Vi and V2 on proof sheets as PSl, it is not necessary to print blanking characters or stars above the hi hest order in which a significant digit appears. Therefore pawls as (iii are not associated with the type characters T82 to enable these type segments to be moved into a position from which blanking characters might be printed.

Furthermore, the type TCF on the type segments T52 are mounted on a segment 63E rather The segment 636 is arm 632 of a rocker 633 that is mounted on the .shaft 664 and which includes an arm 634 that vis secured, as indicated at 635, to the segment 663]. Moreover, a bracket as 636 is provided .on each arm 632 and springs as 63? extend between this bracket and the segment 630, and

these springs are effective to dispose the seg- ,ment 636 in position to arrange the type characters TCF- in printing position in association with an inked ribbon ,(not shown).

. Moreover, in the instance of the type segments TSZ, hammers as636 are associated with each type bearing segment 636 to drive the type characters TCF thereon toward the aforesaid inked ribbon, wherebyan impression is made on a Web which is later divided into proof sheets Psi.

In such a printing operation the printing face of a proofer platen serves as a backup member to insure that a neat impression will be made when a hammer as 638 forcibly drives a type bearing segment as 636 toward the inked ribbon. Furthermore, in this instance, instead of printing blanking characters above the highest significant digit appearing in an amount to be printed from setup type characters as TCF, the arrangement is such that those hammers as 636 associated with type bearing segments 636 above the highest order in which a significant digit is to be printed remain ineffective and are not forced toward a type bearing segment 630. Hence, no impression'whatsoever is made on the web above the highest significant digit that is printed thereon in a printing operation from the type segments TSZ. Moreover, the printing face of the platen is ineffective to make an impression on the web since this face merely serves as a backup member and the hammers 668 must be operated to enable an impression to be made from the type characters TCF.

Consequently, only those hammers 638 which are to be effective in a printing operation are rendered effective and in this respect the hammers 636 are normally latched in ineffective position. It will be noted that each hammer as 638 is mounted on a rocker as 639, Fig. 4, and each such rocker includes a lug 646. These lugs 646 are mounted for pivotal movement about a rod 64! extended between and carried.

by the side frame members 566 and 505. An

arm as 642 extends from each lug as 640 and a spring 643 is effective on each such arm to normally urge the hammer as 633 forcibly toward the type bearing segment as 630. Hence, when the rocker 669 bearing a particular hammer 638 is unlatched, the hammer will strike a forceful blow to insure that a neat impression will be made from the setup type character TCF.

Each rocker as 639 also includes an arm 644 that normally engages a shoulder 645 on a latch as 666, the latch as 646 being pivotally mounted on a rod 641' that extends between and is carried by the side frame members 564 and 505. Each latch 646 includes a nose 641 that is disposed in alignment with a shoulder 648 provided on each segment as 6631. Then, whenever a type segment TS2 is moved into a position to dispose a type character TCF thereon from which a significant digit may be printed in printing position, the shoulder 648 engages the nose 641 and so pivots the latch that the shoulder 645 is moved from engagement with the arm 644 of the associated rocker 539 ,to thereby free the rocker 639 and therefore the hammer 638 to the effect of the springs .643. This, however, occurs during the time when the type segments as 'ISZ are being set up and therefore a latch, to be described presently, is afforded for restraining the rockers as 639 against movement under the influence of springs as 643 until the time in the operation of the machine at which an impression is to be made from type characters as TCF.

Moreover, when an amount as 608.17 is to be printed, the type segments from which the zero in such an amount should be printed will not be moved from its zero position, yet in'such an instance an impression should be, made from the type character TCF thereon from which zero may be printed. Therefore lugs as 649 are provided on each latch as646 and the lug on each such latch extends over the latch pertaining to the next lowest order. Hence, when the type segment T52 from which the highest significant digit in any amount is to be printed moves from zero position, the lugs as 649 are eifective to so condition the latches as 646 on the type segments from which lower digits in the amount are to be printed that when the hammers 636 should be operated this may be brought about. Thus, in the instance where an amount as 608.17 is to be printed, the type segment TSZ for the hundreds order of dollars moves from zero position and thereupon the lug as 649 thereon conditions the latch 646 for the type segment TS2 pertaining to the tens order of dollars so that the hammer 638 for this type segment may be operated to print the zero in the amount 608.17.

In order that the hammers as 638 will not strike the type bearing segments as 630 until an impression is to be made from the type characters as TCF, a lug as 650 is provided on each rocker 639 and a bail is normally disposed to engage these lugs to thereby restrain the hammers 638 against the efiect of springs as 643. The bail 65! is carried by a' pair of arms as 652 fast on a shaft as 653 journaled in suitable bearings carried by the side frame members 504 and 565. A spring 654 is normally effective on one of these arms to urge the bail 65] toward the lugs 650. A link 655 has one end thereof fast to the shaft 653 and another link 656 is fast to the opposite end of the link 655. The link 666 is, in turn, pivotally connected to the free end of a lever 65'! which is pivotally mounted on and carried by a stud 658, Figs. 27 and 36, carried by the side frame member 505. A roller 659 on the lever 65'! is held in engagement with the periphery of a cam 660 by the aforesaid spring 654.

At the time in the operation of the printing unit 686 when impressions are to be made from the type characters TCF, the lever 65'! is so actuated by the cam 666 that the bail 65I is retracted from the lugs 650 and then the hammers are forced by springs 643 toward the type bearing segments 630 whereupon impressions are made from the type characters TCF onto the web.

Leaf springs as 66] urge the latches as 646 into their latching positions and when the bail 662 is operated in the manner described presently to restore the rockers 639 to their latched position thes leaf springs, which are carried by a bar 663 that is extended between and carried by the side frame members 504 and 505, dispose the 13. latches 646 in their latchedposition andrletain them inthese latches, until released in the maxiner hereinabove described. The bail B62 is carried byan arm 663 that is pivotally mounted on a stud shaft .664 carried by the side frame memher 504. A pair of arms-B66 is connected to the arm 663 and have a roller 665 at the free end thereof that rides on the periphery of acam 66? fast on the cam shaft 580. This cam is effective in the course of operation of the printing unit 506, after the hammers 638 have been released to effecta printing operation, to cause the arm i563 topivot and thereupon the bail65l is moved upwardlyinto engagement with the rockers 839 to so pivot these rockers about the rod 64! that the latches 646 may be effective thereon to latch these rockers intheir normal at restposition.

It has been explained hereinabove that the rocker 6M and, therefore, the rocker 6M7, Figs. 1 and 5, are to be rocked so as to engage the plates as t2l and 62% with the teeth as 620 and 620 to thereby align the type segments/as TS! and T32 and also to latch the type segments TSi in setup position. To this end a cam 670, Fig. 4, is provided on the cam shaft 560 and a roller 671 is engageable with the periphery thereof, this roller being carried by a lever 612 pivotally mounted on astud shaft 673 carried by the side frame member 505. A link 674 has the lower end thereof pivotally connected to the lever 6l2and the other end thereof is pivotally connected, as indicated at 675, to an arm 616, Fig. 4, on the rocker 614i adjacent the side frame member 565. Furthermore since the rockers M and GM are to move conjointly in the course of the rocking movement thereof to actuate the plates 62H and 62H, as aforesaid, a link 618, Fig. 5, is pivotally connected to the rocker 514], as indicated at 618'. Moreover, a pin 680' is provided on the rocker 61 i and this pin is disposed in a slot 680 inthe link 618.

Thereforewhen a rise on the cam 67!], Fig. 4, acts on the roller G7! to pivot the lever 612 downwardly, the link 614 is moved downwardly and this is effective through the arm 676 to pivot the rockers SM and SIM so as to move plates GZIf and (iii into engagement with the positioned teeth 620 and 620 for the purpose explained above. In such pivotal movement of the rocker 6147, the left-hand end of the slot 680, as viewed in Fig. 5, is engaged with the pin 686' and'it is this that assures the desired conjoint movement of the rocker 614 and 6M.

Shortly after an impression has been made from the type characters TCF, the earn 610 is effective torcause the rocker 6M to be restored to its at rest position wherein the plate 62 if is disengaged from the teeth 620) and therefore the type segments TSZ may be restored to their zero position. However, at this time the latch 622, Fig. 1, is effective to latch the type segments TS! in their setup condition, as has been explained. Hence when the rocker 6M restores to its at rest position and thereupon moves the link 618 to the left,.as viewed in Fig. 5, the slot 680 enables this movement to be effected without causing move ment to be imparted to the rocker 6M.

After the time the link 614 pivots downwardly to rock the rockers Bi ly and Bl, the slide sections 555 and 5557 are to be disconnected one from the other to enable the type segments TS2 to restore to their zero positions while the type segments as TSI are still latched in their setup positions. Hence, a linkBBl, Fig. 1, is connected to the rocker 6M and this link extends to a rocker. G82 pivotally mounted, as indicated at 683, on a. plate cs4 carried by the 510.8, frame member The rocker 662 has a cam slot 035 therein in which a roller 68% is disposed, this roller being rotatably mounted on the end of a bail tar, lugs. l and 4, that extends beneath the pawls 5'18 that are pivotally mounted on the slide sections beer, as explained heremabove. The ball at! is carried by a pair of arms and 689, rigs. l and i, that are respectively plvotally mounted on the side frame members tied and 505, as indicated at set and 59L In this respect it is to be noted that a bar 6592, Figs. 1 and 4,;eX tends between upstanding lugs on the arms 688 and see and carrles a comb spring, the teeth of which are respectively effective on the pawls 518 to urge the pawls toward the bail ctr. and the toe portions 5% toward the recesses 58E in the slide sections 555i.

The connguration of the cam slot 685 is such that upon movement of the rocker di l to effect latching of the type segments lsl, as aforesaid, this cam slot will be effective on the roller 58%, after the plate 62l has engaged the teeth 6-20 and the latch E522 has latched the rocker 614, to raise the bail 68?, Fig. 4. This bail thereupon engages the under sides of the pawlsEIS, whereupon against the effect of the comb spring these pawis are pivoted upwardly to retract the toe portions from the recesses 58!. Thereupon the slide sections 5553 are disconnected-from the slide sections 5551. It is to be noted, however, that since the slide sections 555 are connected through the rack bill and the gear segmentstfiilz with the type segments TS! and that these type segments will remain in setup position by reason of the latching effect of the latch s22, Fig. 1. Hence, the slides 5557 do not restore to normal Zero position when the link 6'14, Fig. 4,, moves upwardly to effect restoration of the rocker '6l 4f iiowever, since such upward movement of the link W4 does effect restoration of the rocker B143,

. the type segments T81 and the slides 555i may restore to their normal zero positions and this is done upon restoration of the rocker 614' to its at rest position. It is to be noted, however, that the link bill is connected to the rocker 6M and therefore the rocker 682 remains in such position that the cam slot 685 therein is effective to maintain the bail 681 in such position as to keep the toe portions 583 on the pa'wls 518 in their retracted position to thereby prevent these toe portions from re-seating in the recesses 58! and interconnecting the slide sectionstfifif with the slide sections 5551".

In the present machine the type segments 'ISl are still in their setup position at the end of a cycle of operation but the latch is released to enable restoration thereof very shortly after the initiation of a cycle of operation in which the'type segments TSI are to again be set up. inasmuch as the type segments T8! are not to be set up unless the multiplying mechanism M is set in operation I effect release of the latch 622 and restoration of the type segments TS! and therefore the slide sections 5551- under control ofdevices included in the multiplying mechanism.

Therefore a cam 460a, Fig. 2, is provided on the cam shaft 499 of the multiplying 'mechanism M. A roller 46m mounted on an arm 462a engages the periphery of the cam 460a and shortly-after the multiplying mechanism M is set in operation this cam causes the arm 462a to bemovedto the left, as viewed in Fig. 2. The arm fl fiidds fast to-a shaft 463a journaledin-bearingsprovidedon the side frame members 504 and 505 and when the arm 462a is moved as just described, the armsas 464a fast thereon are effected to move the bail 465a carried thereby toward the rear ends of the slide sections 555r so as to thereby restore the slide sections and therefore the type segmentsTSl to their zero positions.

Very shortly after the arms 46 5a so move an adjustment screw lfiiiacarried by a bracket itl'a on an arm 464a engages a pin 463a, Fig- 1, on the latch 622 and pivots this latch against the effect of the spring 624 in such direction as to disengage this latch. from the shoulder 625 on the arm of the rocker 6M it engages to latch the rocker tilt in its latched position. This .frees the rocker ti t to the effect of the spring 626, Fig. 1, and thereupon the rocker 614 restores to its normal at rest position so to thereby retract the plate 621 from the teeth 620 and therefore enable the bail 455a to restorethe slide section 5551* and type segments TSI.

Moreover in the course of such restoration of the rocker 6|4 the link 681 so pivots the rocker 682 that the cam slot 685 therein is effective to cause the bail 881 to be moved to its retracted position and thereupon the teeth of the comb spring 693 urge the pawls 578 downwardly so that When the slide sections 555T are restored to their normal at rest positions, at which time the slide sections 5551 will, be at their at rest'positions, the toe portions 580 may enter the recesses 58! and thereby interconnect the slide sections 555'! and 555 for conjoint movement.

It will be seen therefore that the slide sections 555) are connected to the slide sections 5551" only when the type segments TS! and TSZ are to be set up and that at all other times the sections 555i may move independently of the sections 5551'. It is this that enables the sections 555 to be utilized to setup the type segments 'IS2 when totals are to be printed on the web. Furthermore, the amounts which are accumulated to afford such totals are entered into the accumulator ACPT, Fig. 4, in those instances where variable data VI and V2 are printed upon restoration of the slide sections 555 to their normal at rest zero position. It will therefore be seen that it is important to maintain the slide sections 555 disconnected from the slide sections 555T but this is effectively accomplished by the latch 622, Fig. 1, in the manner hereinabove explained.

As noted hereinabove, variable data VI is obtained from a multiplying means M for setting the amount of the check to be printed. Variable data V2, representing the number of shares held by a stockholder is also to be printed. The data V2 constitutes one factor by which the multiplying mechanism M obtains the amount of the check, the other factor being set into the mechanism M as set forth in my Patent No. 2,296,276 patented September 22, 1942. As described above and more fully in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 416,745, all variable data V communicated to slides 483 is carried through Bowden cables 515, slides 522, gear segments 53!, pinions 532, slide members 555, and to front sections of slide members 5551. All data conveyed through the Bowden cables 5l5 and to the slides 555 is fed into accumulator wheels in the various accumulators ACPT, AC-LT and AC-GT, Fig. 4. These accumulators, as fully described in my aforesaid copending application, are adapted to be raised as a group at appropriate intervals and through suitable means to receive entries from, said front slide sections 555i. They are also adapted to be .raised selectively, at. appropriate times,.to mesh with slide sections 555], set a reading into the slide sections, and thereby setup printing segments TSZ to print a page total PTT, ledger total LT, or grand total GT, upon the proof sheet. The operation of setting up the printing segments TS2 from any of the accumulators AC-PT, AC--LT, or ACGT, restores the selected accumulator to zero.

As shown in Fig. 3, the slides 522 are arranged in two groups of five and seven slides, respectively, and the gear sectors 53!, pinions 532, and slide members 555, 555i are similarly arranged to carry variable data V2 andVi (Figs. 6, 9, 10, 11) through to the printing and accumulating mechanisms.

By means described in greater detail in my aforesaid copending application and generally identical withthose by which data from the multiplying device M are sensed,rcontrol indicia 85 on printing and control devices Dare sensed and communicated through Bowden cables 515, to the accumulators ACP'I, ACLT and AC- GT, so that these accumulators may totalize the number of shares as well as the amounts represented by a series of checks. The accumulators are each thus separated into two sections for carrying separate sets of totals respectively of data VI and V2 for printing on the proof sheets as at PTT, LT and GT, and PTT, LT and GT, respectively, Figs. 9, 10 and 11.

Means not shown herein but fully disclosed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 416,745 are provided for feeding printing and control devices D, checks S and proof sheets to and through various operating positions. Platen means are provided also for backing up the printing members at TS! and TS2 and inking means such as ink ribbons are provided but not described herein.

It is believed that the operation and purposes of my invention will be clear from the foregoing description but it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited by such description or otherwise except as required in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements mounted for pivotal movement, each carrying means for printing numerical digits from 1 to 9 and zero, inclusive, setting means operatively connected to the respective printing elements and normally disposing said elements in normal positions such that zero may be printed therefrom and said setting means being operable to selectively set said elements in positions for printing significant digits from 1 to 9, a plurality of printing hammers operatively related to the respective printing elements and shiftable through retracting and printing strokes between related positions and advanced positions, spring means urging said printing hammers toward said advacing positions, a common restoring member for moving all of said printing hammers to said retracted positions, a common hammer latch effective to latch all of said hammers in said retracted positions and to release the same for movement through printing strokes to their advanced positions, said printing elements having arcuate cam surfaces formed thereon centered on the pivotal axis of said printing elements and each including a cut-away portion at one end of such arcuate surface, a plurality of individual control latches each having a follower arm and a latching arm, means pivotally supporting said control latchesin positions such that said follower arms are normally disposed within the cut-away portions of the related printing elements when such printing elements are in said normal positions and are engaged and moved by said cam surfaces to released positions when the related printing elements are shifted from said normal positions thereof, spring means acting individually on said latches to urge said follower arm thereof toward and into engagement with the related cam surfaces, and said latching arm of each latch being engaged with the related hammer when such latch is in its normal position to retain the related hammer in its retracted position, and means on the respective latches effective when a latch in a particular order is shifted to its released position to release the latch members in all lower orders.

2. In a printing machine, a plurality of printing elements mounted for setting movement, along a predetermined path each carrying means for printing numerical digits from 1 to 9 and zero, setting means operatively connected to the respective printing elements and normally disposing said elements in normal positions such that zero may be printed therefrom and said setting means being operable to selectively set said elements in positions for printing significant digits from 1 to 9, a plurality of printing hammers operatively related to the respective printing elements and shiftable through retracting and printing strokes between retracted positions and advanced positions, spring means urging said printing hammers toward said advanced positions, a common restoring member for moving all of said printing hammers to said retracted positions, a

common hammer latch effective to latch all of said hammers in said retracted positions and to release the same for movement through printing strokes to their advanced positions, said printing elements having cam surfaces formed thereon each affording a dwell surface and each including a cut-away portion at one end of such dwell sur- 18 face to afford a leading surface, a plurality of individual contro1 latches each having a follower arm and a latching arm, means pivotally supporting said control latches in positions such that said follower arms are normally disposed within the cut-away portions of the related printing elements when such printing elements are in said normal positions and are engaged and moved by said leading cam surfaces to released positions and when the related printing elements are shifted from said normal positions thereof, spring means acting individually on said latches to urge said follower arms thereof toward and into engagement with the related cam surfaces, and said latching arm of each latch being engaged with the related hammer when such latch is in its normal position to retain the related hammer in its retracted position, and means on the respective latches effective when a latch in a particular order is shifted to its released position to release the latch members in all lower orders.

WALTER T. GOLLWITZER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,032,678 Hopkins July 16, 1912 1,330,278 Palmer Feb. 10, 1920 1,501,004 Lake July 8, 1924 1,730,147 Horton Oct. 1, 1929 1,790,790 Breitling Feb. 3, 1931 1,874,700 Gardner Aug. 30, 1932 1,951,682 Varren Mar.. 20, 1934 1,954,618 Coxhead Apr. 10, 1934 2,381,862 Beattie Aug. 14, 1945 2,387,861 Smith Oct. 30, 1945 

